If you are holding a Thai Tourist Visa wanting to stay in Thailand longer than you are allowed to, you have to get a Thailand Visa Extension. If you want to stay in Thailand for long-term, you will likely to get several Visa Extensions unless you have been living in Thailand for 3 years and be eligible for a Thai residency.
Who Has to Get a Visa Extension for Thailand?
All foreign nationals who wants to stay in Thailand longer than their visa is issued for, has to get a Thai Visa Extension. Depending on the type of Thailand Visa you are holding, as well as the purpose of your travel, you could get:
- A short-term extension, which is usually a 30-60 Day Thailand Visa Extension issued to Tourist Visa holders. Some nationals will get even 90 days but this is completely up to the Thai Authorities’ decision
- A long-term Thai visa Extension, which can be from 90 days to 1 year, depending on what purpose you want to stay in Thailand. Long-term extensions are issued to Non-Immigrant Visa holders.
A Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa obtained from a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country will usually comes with a stay duration of 90 days. However, the Non-Immigrant Visa allows you to apply for a Visa Extension once you are in Thailand, on the basis of whatever purpose you are traveling for. With the extension, you can live in Thailand for up to 1 year, legally.
However, there is still another way for you to apply for unlimited times of Thai Visa Extension or even if you have overstayed in Thailand, you can still apply for extension regardless of the purpose you are staying Thailand.
If you choose to extend with the current visa, you can go with the following ways.
- A Thailand Work Visa with a Non-Immigrant B Visa extension on the basis of employment in Thailand.
- A Thailand Student Visa with a Non-Immigrant ED Visa extension on the basis of education / pursuing higher studies in Thailand.
- A Thailand Marriage Visa with a Non Immigrant O Visa extension on the basis of marriage to a Thai citizen.
What Documents Do I Need When Applying for a Thailand Visa Extension?
You will need a couple of documents for applying for a Visa Extension in Thailand, here are the list:
- Application Form TM. 7 for Extension of Temporary Stay in Thailand.
- 1 Image of yourself with the following requirements:
- 4 cm x 6 cm dimensions
- Recent (taken within the last six months)
- White background
- Neutral facial expression
- Your face must be fully visible
- Hats or headgear are not allowed, except for religious purposes. Even then, the covering must not obstruct your face
- Your original passport with a valid period of at least 6 months. Some visa application may require up to 18 months of valid period so please check with the Embassy / Consulate / Officials you are filing at.
- Photocopies* of the relevant pages on your passport:
- The personal information page, showing your image, name, expiry/issue date, etc.
- The page showing your Non-Immigrant Visa
- The page showing your hidden middle name if applicable
- Any pages showing previous Thailand Visa Extensions (if applicable)
- The page showing the latest entry stamp in Thailand
- A photocopy of your Departure Card TM. 6
- Any additional documents to show the purpose of your travel or stay, such as:
- Employment purposes:
- Copy of your work permit
- Work contract
- Company documents, such as the registration certificate, list of shareholders, balance sheets, tax payment proof, etc.
- Images showing the location of your workplace and colleagues
- For international students:
- The original Letter of Admission from the educational institution
- Proof of financial requirements if necessary
- If your spouse or family member is a Thai national:
- Proof of relationship such as a Marriage or Birth Certificate
- Images showing your relationship, e.g. living together, accompanied with common friends.
- Proof of financial status
- Rental contract
- Thai national ID
- If you want to retire in Thailand:
- Financial Proof in a designated Thai bank
- Proof of monthly income
- Proof of correspondence address
*The photocopies of your passport and supporting documents have to be signed, translated if not in Thai, and certified by a translation agency and MFA to proof that they are true copies. Notarization may be needed as well if requested by the Thai authorities.
How to Apply for a Thai Visa Extension?
Though some claim that you may apply for a Thailand Visa Extension from a local office outside Bangkok, you are advised to apply at the Office of the Thai Immigration Department in Bangkok as it is designated for foreign nationals in the country. Filing with other offices will have to take risk of inconsistency in policy as well as losing of your documents when transferring to the headquarter in Bangkok.
You will also be requested to complete the Application Form for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom – Form TM. 7, which you can download it online or in the offices of the Immigration Department if you apply in person.
Immigration Offices open in the morning, but you will likely have to wait in line for your turn to submit your application, and then wait a while more for the decision.
You must have your supporting documents with you as well as enough money to pay for the Thai Visa Extension fee.
Can I Renew My Thailand Visa Extension?
Yes. If you continue to meet the requirements for a Thai Visa Extension, you will be eligible for renewal for about 30 days before your current extension expires. Or, you can get a 60-days extension with unlimited time of extension here.
How Much Does a Visa Extension in Thailand Cost?
For every time you extend your visa in Thailand, you will have to pay a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht, regardless of the duration of your extension. But if you have overstayed in Thailand, you will be fined or get detention. Read this article for what will happen if you overstay in Thailand and how to solve it.
What Should I Do Once I Get My Thailand Visa Extended?
For most cases, you will have to get a Re-Entry Permit and, report your address to the Immigration authorities after entering Thailand for 90 days.
For other cases which you extend with other methods, will be elaborated in the next section.
Getting a Re-Entry Permit
In order to be allowed to re-enter Thailand without your visa becoming invalid, you have to apply for a Re-Entry Permit. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter Thailand again unless getting another visa from an Embassy / Consulate of Thailand abroad.
Thailand Re-Entry Permit can be issued for single entry or multiple entries.
Submitting the 90-Day Report
Everyone who lives in Thailand long-term has to submit a 90-Day Report to the Thai Immigration authorities. This means that you will have to go and report your correspondence address to your local office of the Thailand Immigration Department (even if it’s the same as last time) every 90 days of your continued stay in Thailand.
SMART Visa holders have to report their stay annually, instead of every 90 days.
In What Case Re-Entry Permit or 90-Day Report Is Not Required in Thailand?
If you are applying for Thai Visa Extension with an eligible agency authorized by the Thai government, you will only have to renew your visa every 60 days, without the need of 90-Day Report and Re-Entry Permit.